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Hello, I'm installing a timing belt on a 1992 Eclipse with a 1.8 liter motor. I can't locate the plug on the left side of the block that allows you to insert a Phillips head screwdriver to position the silent shaft correctly.It's not under the water pipe from the water pump or under the oil filter adaptor or the PS mount. Where the heck is the thing? I have the factory manual and a Haynes and don't see what they are showing. I've got the engine raised up on a hoist for better visibility and cleaning . All covers are off,water pump and pipe are removed . There are NO plugs on this block. How do I install the belts if I can't position the oil pump shaft properly? Do I just line up all the marks and install the belts normally? What will happen if the oil pump shaft is off. The manual calls it a "must do" operation. I really don't want to go through all of this trouble( there is NO room in between the strut tower and the engine for normal sized hands to work) twice or risk burning up the motor if the oil pump isn't timed correctly. Thanks in advance, Richard38950.8466715278
Optional Information: 1992 Mitsubishi Eclipse 1.8 LiterAlready Tried: I.ve got the engine up in the air on a hoist for cleing,visibilityand working room. covers off, belts off. I've been at it from every possible angle with a 1,000,000 watt spotlight,mirrors my fingers. I can't find a plug.This is assuming that the left side of the block is in reality the front of the car under the exhaust.
Relist: No answer yet.
Hello
See if this helps
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
1.8L Engine
See Figures 1, 2 and 3
If possible, position the engine so the No. 1 piston is at TDC.
Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Remove the timing belt covers.
Remove the timing (outer) belt tensioner and remove the outer timing belt.
Remove the outer crankshaft sprocket and flange.
Remove the silent shaft (inner) belt tensioner and remove the belt.
Fig. 1: Silent shaft belt timing marks-1.8L engine
Fig. 2: Checking the silent shafts for proper positioning
Fig. 3: Timing belt timing mark alignment-1.8L engine
To install:
Align the timing marks of the silent shaft sprockets and the crankshaft sprocket with the timing marks on the front case. Wrap the timing belt around the sprockets so there is no slack in the upper span of the belt and the timing marks are still aligned.
Install the tensioner pulley and move the pulley by hand so the long side of the belt deflects about 1/4in.
Hold the pulley tightly so the pulley cannot rotate when the bolt is tigthened. Tighten the bolt to 15 ft. lbs. (20 Nm) and recheck the deflection amount.
Install the timing belt tensioner fully toward the water pump and tighten the bolts. Place the upper end of the spring against the water pump body.
Align the timing marks of the camshaft, crankshaft and oil pump sprockets with their corresponding marks on the front case or rear cover.
There is a possibility to align all timing marks and have the oil pump sprocket and silent shaft out of time, causing an engine vibration during operation. If the following step is not followed exactly, there is a 50 percent chance that the silent shaft alignment will be 180 degrees off.
Before installing the timing belt, ensure that the left side (rear) silent shaft (oil pump sprocket) is in the correct position as follows:
Remove the plug from the rear side of the block and insert a tool with shaft diameter of 0.31 in. (8mm) into the hole.
With the timing marks still aligned, the shaft of the tool must be able to go in at least 2 1/2 in. If the tool can only go in about 1 in., the shaft is not in the correct orientation and will cause a vibration during engine operation. Remove the tool from the hole and turn the oil pump sprocket 1 complete revolution. Realign the timing marks and insert the tool. The shaft of the tool must go in at least 2 1/3 in.
Recheck and realign the timing mark.
Leave the tool in place to hold the silent shaft while continuing.
Install the belt to the crankshaft sprocket, oil pump sprocket, then camshaft sprocket, in that order. While doing so, make sure there is no slack between the sprocket except where the tensioner is installed.
Recheck the timing marks' alignment. If all are aligned, loosen the tensioner mounting bolt and allow the tensioner to apply tension to the belt.
Remove the tool that is holding the silent shaft and rotate the crankshaft a distance equal to 2 teeth on the camshaft sprocket. This will allow the tensioner to automatically apply the proper tension on the belt. Do not manually overtigthen the belt or it will howl.
Tigthen the lower mounting bolt first, then the upper spacer bolt.
To verify correct belt tension, check that the deflection at the longest span of the belt is about 1/2in.
Install the timing belt covers and all related items.
Connect the negative battery cable.
Experience: Master Auto Technician 28yrs Electrical and Mechanical experience
The plug is on the left side of the cylinder block towards the firewall. Here is a picture of the plug and the block.
Experience: ASE Master Tech w/ Advance Engine Performance